Vice President of the European Parliament, Eva Kaili, has been arrested in Belgium in an investigation into suspected bribery and corruption.
The socialist Greek MEP has subsequently been suspended by her party, suspended from her role within the Parliament, and her financial assets have been frozen by Greek national authorities.
Four others were also arrested on charges of “participation in a criminal organisation, money laundering and corruption.”
The foreign ministers of several EU member states have warned that the incident could be “damaging” to the EU’s credibility as a bloc.
It has been alleged by Belgian authorities that the Qatari state gave money and gifts to officials within the European Parliament to secure influence within the bloc.
Kaili’s office has reportedly declined to comment on the allegations, and Qatar has denied any wrongdoing.
“Any association of the Qatari government with the reported claims is baseless and gravely misinformed,” an unnamed official told Reuters.
Speaking to Italy’s Rai 3, European Economy Commissioner Paolo Genitoli said that the case appeared to be “very serious.”
“If it were confirmed that someone took money to try to influence the opinion of the European Parliament, it will really be one of the most dramatic stories of corruption in recent years,” he said.
Reacting to the news, Ireland’s Fine Gael Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney described the situation as “damaging” to Europe’s image.
“It is damaging,” he said. “We need to get to the bottom of it.”
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also described the case as “unbelievable.”
“This is an unbelievable incident which has to be cleared up completely with the full force of law,” she said.
“This is about the credibility of Europe.”
Czech Foeign Minister Jan Lipavsky added that “it is absolutely unacceptable, any kind of corruption.”